Shares Sell Off Heavily
Ahead of U.S. Reopening

Dow Jones Newswires

Updated Sept. 17, 2001 5:05 a.m. ET

TOKYO -- The Nikkei 225 Stock Average Monday plunged 5.0% to close below the low marked Wednesday in initial reaction to U.S. terrorist attacks, as Japanese market players repositioned themselves for the resumption later in the global day of U.S. stock trading.

The Nikkei 225 index dropped 504.48 points, or 5.0%, Monday to 9504.41 -- the lowest close since December 1983 -- quickly paring the 395.80-point gain racked up Friday on hopes...